DOCSLIB.ORG

New Study Suggests Benefits from More Than Five Years of Tamoxifen

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
New Study Suggests Benefits from More Than Five Years of Tamoxifen Volume 4, Issue 2 May 2013 New Study Suggests Benefits from More Than Five years of Tamoxifen Women diagnosed with early stage, hormone receptor positive breast cancer are usually recommended to take five years of an oral hormonal therapy. For young women who are pre-menopausal, the recommended therapy is generally tamoxifen. Tamoxifen blocks the effect of the hormone estrogen, and prevents new and recurring breast cancer from forming. A recently reported clinical trial found that women who took ten years of tamoxifen compared to the standard five years, had lower rates of breast cancer recurrence (breast cancer coming back) and a longer overall survival, suggesting that a greater number of years on tamoxifen should be seriously considered. The benefits were modest in size, but large enough to be potentially beneficial for some women. When comparing the two groups (5 versus 10 years of tamoxifen) the researchers found a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence in the group taking tamoxifen for 10 years. The recurrence rate decreased from 25.1% to 21.4%, for an absolute overall benefit of 3.7%. Researchers also looked at differences in mortality (death) due to breast cancer and found a lower percent of deaths in the 10 year group, 12.1%, compared to 15.0% in the 5 year group, a difference of 2.9%. These benefits were not noted until after the 10th year of follow up, suggesting that tamoxifen has a beneficial effect that lasts several years after women stop taking it. All women were followed for 15 years. The serious risks of taking 5 versus 10 years of tamoxifen were also studied. Serious risks of tamoxifen are relatively rare and include stroke, blood clots, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. The risk of several of these events was slightly elevated in the 10 year group though it was still particularly low for women who are young (under 50). The trial authors noted the importance of continuing to study the long term serious risks of taking tamoxifen. The decision to take tamoxifen for an additional five years is a personal one. It should involve weighing the expected benefit of extending therapy against the expected risks. Quality of life factors such as side effects and personal preferences (including desire to be off medication or trying to carry a biologic child) should also be seriously considered. Some side effects associated with tamoxifen, for example, hot flashes, affect some women and not others. Women who experience severe side effects might consider including this as a negative factor in their decision to extend or not extend treatment. Another important consideration is the risk associated with the primary breast cancer diagnosis. Women who are at higher risk of recurrence (larger tumors or lymph node involvement) are more likely to benefit from extended tamoxifen than those with lower risk (small, node negative) tumors. If you would like to learn more about what is the best option for you, we recommend you make an appointment to meet with your oncologist. To read the full study, see: Davies C, Pan H, Godwin J, et al. Long-term effects of continuing adjuvant tamoxifen to 10 years versus stopping at 5 years after diagnosis of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: ATLAS, a randomised trial. Lancet 2013: 381, pp 805-16. Young Women Connect Through The Young Adult Program The Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer is proud to announce the launch of our online interactive community within the Young Adult Program’s website, www.dana-farber-yap.org. This is a space where young women with breast cancer can connect by sharing their thoughts and experiences, asking questions, and supporting each other. The community includes women who are in many different stages of diagnosis, including women currently in treatment and those who are many years out from treatment. If you are interested in joining the online community, please contact Julie at 617-632-3916 or [email protected]. One blogger noted: “It has been great to have people to ask my questions to–people who have been there and get it.” Another weighed in: “I had a tough couple of years after my diagnosis. Now, years later, I can be encouraging to others who are going through it now.” Young adults with cancer often face different challenges than those of children and older adults. The mission of the Young Adult Program (YAP) is to provide clinical services and programs that validate and support the needs of young adults with cancer. YAP is committed to easing the emotional burden of living and coping with cancer, empowering young adults to become active participants in their cancer treatment, and providing emotional and social support in the form of educational workshops, conferences, opportunities to network with other young adults with cancer, and clinical mental health services. For more information about the Young Adult Program, contact Rhian Waterberg at 617-632-6819 or [email protected]. Many Thanks To Carie and Her Crew! Carie is a 12 year breast cancer survivor who has become an advocate for young women with breast cancer and was an integral part of the establishment of the Young Women’s Program (YWP). Seven years ago, Carie corralled her friends and relatives to ride the Pan-Mass Challenge with her to celebrate her survivorship and raise money for the cause. To date, Carie’s Crew has raised over $500,000 for the YWP. We are so grateful for this wonderful support! To learn more about Carie’s Crew contact Carie at [email protected]. Founded in 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. For more information, visit www.pmc.org. Sex and Intimacy Sex during treatment Libido Physically, it’s typically fine to have sex during Losing the desire for sex is a common experience treatment. The issues that arise may be temporary for women during or after breast cancer or lasting, but most are manageable. If sex is an treatment. While it can be very distressing, there important part of your emotional relationship with are ways to get your groove back! A person's libido your partner, be sure to set time aside for it. Just doesn't typically come back on its own; you have remember to keep in mind the following: to nurture it. Take it slowly, and make time for • Plan sexual activity for times when intimacy. Start by getting to know your new body, chemotherapy side effects are minimal. You and focusing on pleasure rather than sex. may want to wait a few days after each treatment. Pain and discomfort • If you know your blood counts are low, avoiding Pain during sex can distract you from enjoying the sexual activity can reduce your chance of experience. To reduce pain, try to: infection. It's fine to have sex once your blood • Plan sexual activity for times when your pain counts are back to normal. level is lower than other times. • If you could get pregnant, use non-hormonal • Take pain medicine an hour before planned birth control, such as a condom, diaphragm or sexual activity so it has time to take effect. (If copper IUD. Remember: If your treatment your medicines make you sleepy, work with includes chemotherapy or tamoxifen, you your doctor to adjust the dosage.) should not get pregnant during treatment. • Tell your partner what parts of your body are Chemo and hormonal therapies, like tamoxifen, particularly sensitive. can cause birth defects or miscarriage, • Find a position that puts as little pressure on especially during the first trimester. sensitive areas as possible. Hormonal changes • Use a vaginal moisturizer regularly or water- It's common to experience some form of sexual based lubricants right before intercourse to difficulty during or after breast cancer treatment, make sex more pleasurable and comfortable. especially with chemotherapy. Chemo can make Remember that it is very common for young the ovaries function irregularly, and lead to women to experience challenges with sex and changes in hormone levels. These changes can intimacy during and after treatment. Help is cause symptoms like vaginal thinning or available for you and your partner. For more dryness, which may make intercourse information, contact the Sexual Health Program uncomfortable or painful. You may also experience directly at 617-632-4523 or visit www.dana- changes in libido (desire), arousal, and breast farber.org/sexualhealth. sensitivity. Join us for our next Young Women’s Program Sexual Health Workshop on May 15th! See back page for details. Established in 2005, the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provides comprehensive care and support to young women confronting the challenges of living with and beyond breast cancer. Our mission is to enhance care and education for patients and their families, as well as to advance understanding of the biology of breast cancer and the experience of the disease for younger women through ongoing research focused on young women. Over 1900 young women have been enrolled to date. For further information about the Program, please contact Julie at: 617-632-3916 or visit our website at: http://www.dana-farber.org keyword: Young Women’s Program. _____________________________________________________ Additional Resources and Information Susan G. Komen for the Cure Save the Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest Date Young Women’s Sexual Health Workshop grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and Sharon Bober, PhD activists working together to save lives, empower Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 5:30-7pm people, ensure quality care for all, and energize science Join Dr.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Physiology of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction
    International Journal of Impotence Research (2005) 17, S44–S51 & 2005 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0955-9930/05 $30.00 www.nature.com/ijir Physiology of female sexual function and dysfunction JR Berman1* 1Director Female Urology and Female Sexual Medicine, Rodeo Drive Women’s Health Center, Beverly Hills, California, USA Female sexual dysfunction is age-related, progressive, and highly prevalent, affecting 30–50% of American women. While there are emotional and relational elements to female sexual function and response, female sexual dysfunction can occur secondary to medical problems and have an organic basis. This paper addresses anatomy and physiology of normal female sexual function as well as the pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction. Although the female sexual response is inherently difficult to evaluate in the clinical setting, a variety of instruments have been developed for assessing subjective measures of sexual arousal and function. Objective measurements used in conjunction with the subjective assessment help diagnose potential physiologic/organic abnormal- ities. Therapeutic options for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, including hormonal, and pharmacological, are also addressed. International Journal of Impotence Research (2005) 17, S44–S51. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901428 Keywords: female sexual dysfunction; anatomy; physiology; pathophysiology; evaluation; treatment Incidence of female sexual dysfunction updated the definitions and classifications based upon current research and clinical practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Arousing Imaginations
    Evolutionary Psychology www.epjournal.net – 2007. 5(4): 778-785 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Book Review Arousing Imaginations A review of Michael R. Kauth, (Ed.), Handbook of the Evolution of Human Sexuality, Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY, 2006, 395 pp., $50.00 (softbound), $130.00 (hardbound) Reviewed by David Puts, Ph.D. Department of Anthropology, 424 Carpenter Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Email: [email protected] In the quarter century since Donald Symons (1979) wrote The Evolution of Human Sexuality, research in this area has flourished. Michael Kauth’s edited volume Handbook of the Evolution of Human Sexuality (co-published as Volume 18, Numbers 2/3 and 4 2006 of the Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality) is therefore a welcome addition. Kauth assembles researchers in diverse areas of human sexuality, including heterosexual mate choice, sexual arousal and olfactory preferences, but the focus is heavily upon the evolution and development of homosexuality, with five of the book’s ten chapters centering on this topic. Given that only 2-3% of men and 1-2% of women report predominantly homosexual preferences, this focus may seem disproportionate. However, the volume is intended not to cover all aspects of human sexuality but to serve as a springboard for future research, a mission that it will undoubtedly accomplish. The scholarship in the Handbook is variable but generally good. The content is often heavy on speculation and light on evidence, which would be less concerning if authors acknowledged this more openly. Instead, the chapters of the Handbook often reify “facts” that are still quite theoretical—for example, Kauth’s statement that “physical symmetry and extravagant sexual ornamentation are ‘honest’ signals of health and genetic quality” (p.
    [Show full text]
  • Drug-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women
    VOLUME 36 : NUMBER 2 : APRIL 2013 ARTICLE Drug-induced sexual dysfunction in men and women Helen M Conaglen whether the clinician is willing to ask about sexual Clinical psychologist and SUMMARY issues and does so in a sensitive way.7,8 Senior research fellow Many medical conditions and their treatments Patients on long-term medications may not be John V Conaglen aware that their sexual problems have developed Endocrinologist and contribute to sexual dysfunction. as a result of their treatment. Conversely some may Associate professor in Commonly implicated drugs include Medicine blame their drugs for sexual problems which are due Sexual Health Research Unit antihypertensives, antidepressants, to relationship difficulties or other stressors. Some Waikato Clinical School antipsychotics and antiandrogens. doctors consider that asking patients if they had Faculty of Medical and Understanding the potential for drug-induced noticed any sexual adverse effects from their drugs Health Sciences University of Auckland sexual problems and their negative impact may ‘suggest’ them to the patient, and possibly result on adherence to treatment will enable the in non-adherence. Patients attributing their sexual clinician to tailor treatments for the patient problems to their drugs are less likely to continue the Key words treatment even when necessary for their health.9 The antidepressants, and his or her partner. consultation should include discussion of the patient’s antihypertensives, Encouraging a discussion with the patient sexual issues so these can be considered in treatment antipsychotics, arousal, about sexual function and providing erectile dysfunction, decisions. hypoactive sexual desire strategies to manage the problem are critical disorder, male impotence, to good clinical care.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Contraceptive Implants on Sexual Desire in Women Zoë Tessier and Katrina Armstrong | Faculty of Health Science | University of Ottawa
    Are contraceptives causing the bedroom blues? The effect of contraceptive implants on sexual desire in women Zoë Tessier and Katrina Armstrong | Faculty of Health Science | University of Ottawa ABSTRACT METHODS DISCUSSION Background: In the United States, an estimated 51% of pregnancies are unwanted (Sanders et. al., 2014). High rates of unwanted • The main finding of the structured literature review was a decrease in sexual desire in women using contraceptive implants. pregnancy can be reduced by the use of various contraceptives. Hormonal contraceptives are a popular choice among fertile women PubMed, Medline, and Scopus were searched for relevant However the studies did not provide satisfactory evidence to draw a confident conclusion. and have been shown to effectively prevent pregnancy. Contraceptive implants are a type of progestogen-only birth control. The articles. “Contraceptive implants” and “libido” were initially • The Di Carlo and Sanders articles used the “Female Sexual Function Index” (FSFI) and the “Short Form-36” (SF-36) as a tool to implant is a single rod that is inserted subdermally into the upper arm. It has 68 mg of active compound and is effective in searched under the PubMed database. “Contraception” and measure sexual desire. All other articles failed to explicitly indicate the controls and measures used to determine libido. preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years (Gezginc et. al., 2007). Objective: Examine if contraceptive implants decrease a woman’s “drug implants” combined with “sexual dysfunction” or “libido” • Two articles described an increase in sexual desire while the remaining four reported a decrease. The increases were believed to sexual desire via a literature review.
    [Show full text]
  • Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome: a Closer Look
    Indonesian Andrology and Biomedical Journal Vol. 1 No. 2 December 2020 Post-orgasmic Illness Syndrome: A Closer Look William1,2, Cennikon Pakpahan2,3, Raditya Ibrahim2 1 Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya, Jakarta, Indonesia 2 Andrology Specialist Program, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga – Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia 3 Ferina Hospital – Center for Reproductive Medicine, Surabaya, Indonesia Received date: Sep 19, 2020; Revised date: Oct 6, 2020; Accepted date: Oct 7, 2020 ABSTRACT Background: Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition in which someone experiences flu- like symptoms, such as feverish, myalgia, fatigue, irritabilty and/or allergic manifestation after having an orgasm. POIS can occur either after intercourse or masturbation, starting seconds to hours after having an orgasm, and can be lasted to 2 - 7 days. The prevalence and incidence of POIS itself are not certainly known. Reviews: Waldinger and colleagues were the first to report cases of POIS and later in establishing the diagnosis, they proposed 5 preliminary diagnostic criteria, also known as Waldinger's Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria (WPDC). Symptoms can vary from somatic to psychological complaints. The mechanism underlying this disease are not clear. Immune modulated mechanism is one of the hypothesis that is widely believed to be the cause of this syndrome apart from opioid withdrawal and disordered cytokine or neuroendocrine responses. POIS treatment is also not standardized. Treatments includeintra lymphatic hyposensitization of autologous semen, non-steroid anti-inflamation drugs (NSAIDs), steroids such as Prednisone, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, hormones (hCG and Testosterone), alpha-blockers, and other adjuvant medications.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual Dysfunction in Men and in Women
    888-387-7218 @PharmXhealthOne @PharmXhealthOne Schedule your appointment today with a friendly sta member or book online today: LOW-INTENSITY EXTRACORPOREAL Toll-free 888-387-7218 SHOCK WAVE THERAPY Phone 561-847-4654 Fax 561-847-4956 Both men and women go through the same phases of sexual reactions cycle: sexual desire, sexual arousal, and, as a result, orgasm and reso- Email health@pharmxheal- lution phase. During the phase of sexual arousal, in both men and women, the blood flow to pelvic organs increases, but in the event of erectile dysfunction in men and frigidity in women, this process weak- ens or does not occur at all. Furthermore, the innervation of genital organs in male and female organisms is identical. Activation, which enables genital innervation, launches the activation of blood circula- PharmXhealthOne wellness center has tion in the target organs. three convenient locations: Therefore, in case of ED in men, and in case of female sexual arousal disorder in women, along with other specific treatment methods, it is 1054 Gateway Blvd, Suite 103 useful to perform non-invasive stimulation of insuciently active physiological mechanisms of sexual arousal. However, for the treat- Boynton Beach, FL 33426 ment of ED in men, such stimulation has already been successfully (561) 847-4654 used for a long time – that is the low-intensity extracorporeal shock (561) 847-4956 fax wave therapy, which allows to restore the erection mechanism itself. [email protected] SEXUAL Studies from throughout the world, including those conducted by Ukrainian scientists, have established that low-intensity extracorpore- al shock wave therapy induces neovascularization and therefore 808 SW Glenview Ct, Suite 818 improves blood circulation.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexuality and Chronic Pain
    Sexuality and Chronic Pain By Judith Paice, PhD, RN, Research Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL Re-printed with permission from the American Chronic Pain Association Chronicle. Sexuality is a significant part of who we are as individuals, providing intimacy, affection, social interaction, and touch. We are sexual beings from the moment of birth to the end of our lives. Sexual practices and beliefs wary widely, often based upon age, gender, past experiences, as well as religious and cultural values. As a result, each person and partner defines what is considered “normal” sexual behavior. There are four phases involved in the sexual response: desire, excitement, orgasm, and resolution. Desire is interest in sex, also called libido. Excitement is a state of arousal that often occurs as a result of touching and kissing. During excitement the body responds by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Blood flow will increase to the genitals in both men and women. In men, this results in an erection. The third phase, orgasm, is also called climax. Muscles in the genitalia contract, resulting in waves of pleasure throughout the body. Finally, resolution is the return of the body to its original state. Unfortunately, chronic pain and its treatment can impair our ability to express sexuality by altering any of the four phases. Few studies have evaluated the frequency of changes in sexual desire or function in people with chronic pain. One study of patients enrolled in chronic pain treatment programs in England found that 73 percent had some degree of sexual problems (Ambler et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexual and Life Satisfaction of Pregnant Women
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Sexual and Life Satisfaction of Pregnant Women Dorota Branecka-Wo´zniak 1,*, Anna Wójcik 2, Joanna Bła˙zejewska-Ja´skowiak 1 and Rafał Kurzawa 1 1 Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; [email protected] (J.B.-J.); [email protected] (R.K.) 2 Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1, Pomeranian Medical University of Szczecin, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-91-480-0920 Received: 30 June 2020; Accepted: 11 August 2020; Published: 13 August 2020 Abstract: The awareness of one’s own sexuality and its expression depend on the stage of an individual’s life. Pregnancy is a period of many, also psychosexual, changes. The sexual needs of pregnant women are rarely discussed, and intercourse during this period seems to be a taboo. The aim of this study was to assess the sexual and life satisfaction of pregnant women. The study involved 181 pregnant women and was conducted from July to November 2018. The participants were patients of the pregnancy pathology ward, Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 2 in Szczecin, and participants of antenatal classes. The research project was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin (KB-0012/74/18). This survey-based study was performed using the self-developed questionnaire and standardized tools: the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS Statistics 24.0 statistical package.
    [Show full text]
  • Sexuality Development and Developmental Psychology
    Chapter 6 Sexuality Development and Developmental Psychology While most humans appear to invoke free will regarding their sexual behav- ior, their sexuality in turn often seems to subvert a great deal of this will. That is, our sexual desires, inclinations, and identity greatly influence our decisions and behavior. People tacitly accept this principle when they advocate imprisonment for individuals who commit sex crimes against children. Implicit in this involuntary commitment process is the premise that the offender will not be able to control himself or herself against committing future offenses and thus should be physically prevented from doing so. This generally accepted act of prevention applies to the most extreme and dangerous sexual behaviors. But is the violent pedophile really less in control of his sexual behavior than those individuals who exhibit socially acceptable forms of sexuality? Or, is it that most of the population enacts a sexual- ity that is no more under control but considered a normative part of both nature and society? In essence, the issue is—regardless of the sexual behavior that an individual engages in—whether he or she is ultimately in control of that behavior. Wine connoisseurs often encourage the uninitiated to educate their palates to better appreciate fine wines. In doing so, they are encouraging people to suppress their innate aversion to what is essentially rancid grape juice with a bit of alcohol. With repeated exposure to the initially repellant properties of the wine, and with the guidance of an expert identifying specific hedonic properties, an individual can come to identify what is deemed to be a desirable wine.
    [Show full text]
  • S100005 Sex and Birth Control
    Sex and Birth Control: Are they connected? About 25% of women will have decreased sexual thoughts and arousability on Hormonal Contraception Enjoying sex is related to motivation for birth control The type of hormone, IUD or barrier may affect sexual pleasure There are biological drives to reproduce at odds with logical life plans REFERENCES 1. Schaffir J. Hormonal contraception and sexual desire: A critical review. J Sex Marital Ther. 2006;32:305-14 2. Oinonen, K. A. and D. Mazmanian. To what extent do oral contraceptives influence mood and affect? J Affect Disord. 2002;70(3):229-240. 3. Sanders SA, Graham CA, Bass JL, Bancroft J. A prospective study of the effects of oral contraceptives on sexuality and well-being and their relationship to discontinuation. Contraception. 2001;64(1):51-58. 4. Sabatini R, Cagiano R. Comparison profiles of cycle control, side effects and sexual satisfaction of three hormonal contraceptives. Contraception. 2006 Sep;74:220-3. 5. Wiebe ER, Brotto L, MacKay J. Characteristics of women who complain of mood and sexual side effects from hormonal contraception J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2011;33(11):1234-40. 6. Oinonen KA. Putting a finger on potential predictors of oral contraceptive side effects: 2D:4D and middle-phalangeal hair. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009 Jun;34(5):713-26. 7. Wallwiener M, Wallwiener L, Seeger H, Mueck AO, Bitzer J, Wallwiener CW. Effects of sex hormones in oral contraceptives on the female sexual function score: A study in German female medical students. Contraception; Volume 82, Issue 2, August 2010, Pages 155-159 8. Wiebe ER, Kaczorowski J, MacKay J.
    [Show full text]
  • Disorders of Ejaculation: an AUA/SMSNA Guideline - American Urological Association
    02.07.2020 Disorders of Ejaculation: An AUA/SMSNA Guideline - American Urological Association Home Guidelines Clinical Guidelines Disorders of Ejaculation Disorders of Ejaculation: An AUA/SMSNA Guideline Panel Members Alan W. Shindel MD, Stanley E. Althof, Ph.D., Serge Carrier, MD, Roger Chou, MD, FACP, Chris G. McMahon, MD, John P. Mulhall, MD, Darius A. Paduch, MD, Ph.D., Alexander W. Pastuszak, MD, Ph.D., David Rowland, Ph.D., Ashely H. Tapscott, MD , Ira D. Sharlip MD. Executive Summary Ejaculation and orgasm are distinct but simultaneous events that occur with peak sexual arousal. It is typical for men to have some control over the timing of ejaculation during a sexual encounter. Men who ejaculate before or shortly after penetration, without a sense of control, and who experience distress related to this condition may be diagnosed with Premature Ejaculation (PE). There also exists a population of men who experience difficulty achieving sexual climax, sometimes to the point that they are unable to climax during sexual activity; these men may be diagnosed with Delayed Ejaculation (DE). While up to 30% of men have self- reported PE, few of these men have an ejaculation latency times (the time between penetration and ejaculation) of less than two minutes, making the actual prevalence of clinical PE and DE less than 5%.1, 2 Regardless, the experience of many clinicians suggest that the problem is not rare and can be a source of considerable embarrassment and dissatisfaction for patients. Data on the prevalence of DE are more limited, but a proportion of epidemiological studies report that men have difficulty achieving orgasm.3 Disturbances of the timing of ejaculation can pose a substantial impediment to sexual enjoyment for men and their partners.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Low Libido in Women
    Understanding Low Libido in Women Contents What is Low Libido? 3 How is Libido Classified? 3 Why Does Low Libido Develop? 5 Who Develops Low Libido? 9 When Should I Be Concerned? 9 What are the Signs and Symptoms of Low Libido? 10 What is Normal Sexual Activity? 11 Testosterone and Women 12 Using Testosterone in Women – Options? 14 Seeking Medical Assistance 16 Female Sexual Function Questionnaire 17 Sexual History 23 Physical Examination 24 Sexual Response Review 26 Switching Contraceptive Method 29 Diagnostics 30 Psychological Assessment 34 Specialist Referral Options 35 Additional Treatment Options 36 What About Homeopathic and Herbal Treatments? 37 About Lawley Pharmaceuticals 38 Our Mission Statement 38 Completed Clinical Studies 39 Copyright Information 40 2 What is Low Libido? Libido is the sex drive. It is the necessary forerunner of sexual fantasy, arousal and sexual enjoyment. Low libido is a serious condition because it can diminish psychological health and well-being, and impacts on personal relationships. Low libido can be extremely well managed with appropriate treatment. Often women are too shy or feel uncomfortable discussing issues relating to sexual function, including low libido, and they may experience unfulfilling sexual and personal relationships as a result. How is Libido Classified? Every woman can experience short-term, intermittent disinterest in sex due to fatigue, acute illness, or stress. True low libido is a persistent, enduring disorder causing personal distress. There are four distinct medical classifications of female sexual dysfunction that result in low libido: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) - The woman lacks sexual fantasies, has little or no sexual thoughts or inclination towards sexual activity of any kind or she is unreceptive to sexual activity.
    [Show full text]